Reset timer/counter unit

ABSTRACT

A reset counter which can be used as a timer and includes a first bank of manually adjustable number wheels arranged from least significant to most significant digits and a second bank or resettable wheel assemblies with one of the wheel assemblies adjacent to and corresponding to one of the number wheels. Each of the number wheels has a gear and numerical indicia spaced circumferentially therearound. A separate manual means is provided for indexing the number wheels to a selected position corresponding to a desired counting cycle. Each of the resettable wheel assemblies includes first and second subwheels mounted to rotate about a common shaft with the first subwheel having a gear meshed with the gear of its corresponding number wheel whereby the angular positions of the first subwheels in the wheel assemblies correspond to the positions of the number wheel associated therewith. The second subwheel of each resettable wheel assembly includes a drive gear and biasing means for rotating the second subwheel to a selected position with respect to the first subwheel when the second subwheel is not being driven and is free to rotate about its shaft so that the second subwheel of each resettable wheel assembly returns to the position set by the corresponding number wheel of each of the wheel assemblies. The counter means also includes a drive means for engaging the drive gear of the least significant one of the second subwheels for rotating this least significant second subwheel and means for advancing by an angle corresponding with a single digit each more significant set subwheel when its adjacent least significant subwheel is rotated a single rotation about its shaft. In addition, there is provided means for preventing the return or free rotation of the second subwheel assembly during the operation of the drive means and for allowing return of the second subwheels in each of the resettable wheel assemblies to the reset position upon disengagement of the driving force to the resettable wheel assemblies.

United States Patent 1191 Erickson 1 1 RESET TIMER/COUNTER UNIT [75] Inventor: Frederick E. Erickson, Silvis, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Gulf and Western Industries, Inc., New York, NY.

521 Filed: Feb. 25, 1974 2 11 Appl. No.: 445,137

[52 US. Cl 235/144 ME; 235/104; 235/132 R; 235/144 R; 235/91 M [51] Int. Cl. G06c 15/42; G06f 15/18 [58] Field of Search... 235/144 ME, 144 EA, 144 E, 235/144 R, 104, 103, 132 R, 132 A, 132 E;

Primary Examiner-Stephen J. Tomsky Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Meyer, Tilberry & Body [57] ABSTRACT A reset counter which can be used as a timer and includes a first bank of manually adjustable number wheels arranged from least significant to most significant digits and a second bank or resettable wheel assemblies with one of the wheel assemblies adjacent to and corresponding to one of the number wheels. Each 1451 May 20, 1975 of the number wheels has a gear and numerical indicia spaced circumferentially therearound. A separate manual means is provided for indexing the number wheels to a selected position corresponding to a desired counting cycle. Each of the resettable wheel as semblies includes first and second subwheels mounted to rotate about a common shaft with the first subwheel having a gear meshed with the gear of its correspond ing number wheel whereby the angular positions of the first subwheels in the wheel assemblies correspond to the positions of the number wheel associated there with The second subwheel of each resettable wheel assembly includes a drive gear and biasing means for rotating the second subwheel to a selected position with respect to the first subwheel when the second subwheel is not being driven and is free to rotate about its shaft so that the second subwheel of each resettable wheel assembly returns to the position set by the corresponding number wheel of each of the wheel assemblies. The counter means also includes a drive means for engaging the drive gear of the least significant one of the second subwheels for rotating this least significant second subwheel and means for ad vancing by an angle corresponding with a single digit each more significant set subwheel when its adjacent least significant subwheel is rotated 21 single rotation about its shaft. In addition, there is provided means for preventing the return or free rotation of the second subwheel assembly during the operation of the drive means and for allowing return of the second subwheels in each of the resettable wheel assemblies to the reset position upon disengagement of the driving force to the resettable wheel assemblies.

28 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures PATENTEU W 2 9 W5 SHEET 20F 9 FIG. 3

m n m 2 0 ms SHEET 5 UF 9 FIG. 6

PATEMEB 349320575 3885.136

SHEET 8 BF 9 RESET TIMER/COUNTER UNIT DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to the art of timer/- counter units and more particularly to an improved timer/counter employing a novel magnetic resetting mechanism and other novel features.

The invention is particularly applicable for use as a timer having a somewhat digital display and it will be described with particular reference thereto; however, it is appreciated that the invention has broader applications and may be used as both a timer or a counter according to the type of driving arrangement used in the unit.

It has become common practice to employ reset timers for controlling industrial machinery and processes. These reset timers generally include a face plate having a window which indicates the digits of the timing cycle. These digits may be manually changed by repeatedly depressing buttons adjacent each exhibited digit. After the timing cycle has been set, the timer repeatedly times the cycle corresponding to the setting appearing at the face plate of the unit. Generally, the visually displayed digits are the numbers on the periphery of axially spaced resettable wheel assemblies. During the counting cycle, digits appearing at the face of the timer count down in generally decimal fashion until reaching all zeros. At this time, the cycle is completed and can be repeated. This normal type of reset timer to which the present invention is directed has one obvious disadvantage. The timing cycle is not known as the cycle is being timed because the wheel assemblies are counting down during the cycle. In addition, the cycle length for the next cycle can not be changed during a timing cycle of the unit. In order to change the timing cycle, a manual override reset button is often provided. This terminates existing timing cycle and allows the new cycle to be set. In many instances, the termination of a cycle may not be desirable even though a new cycle is desired.

In addition, the reset wheel assemblies used in prior reset timers have often included two relatively movable subwheels one of which is locked in place during the setting and the other of which is movable during the counting and carries the display digits for the counting cycle. There is provided between these two subwheels a cam arrangement which attempts to bring the number carrying subwheel back to a set position after a cycle has been timed and the driving mechanism of the timer is disengaged. This cam return or cam reset mechanism often included a heart-shaped cam wherein the indentation of the heart was the reset position. By this arrangement, a biased follower in one of the subwheels engaged the heart-shaped cam and attempted to bring the two subwheels into a given angular alignment by the action of the cam and the spring biased follower. Excessive wear of the cam and follower mechanism often occurred. This reduced the intended life of the timer. Also, after the follower had moved along the cam for a prolonged time, certain dead spots were sometimes created wherein the numbered wheel would not reset to the proper position by the camming action between the two subwheels.

These and other disadvantages of prior reset timers or counters are completely overcome by the present invention which relates to an improved timer/counter unit, which increases the intended life of the unit and decreases the complexity and expense of the unit.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a reset counter including a first bank of manually ad- 5 justable number wheels journalled coaxially about a first shaft and arranged from least significant to most significant digits and a second bank of resettable wheel assemblies journalled coaxially about a second shaft generally parallel to the first shaft with one of the wheel assemblies adjacent to and corresponding to one of the number wheels. Each of the number wheels has a gear generally concentric with the first shaft and numerical indicia circumferentially spaced around the first shaft. Separate manual means are provided for indexing the number wheels about the first shaft to selected positions corresponding to a desired counting cycle and means for holding the number wheels in the selected positions. Each of the resettable wheel assemblies includes first and second subwheels mounted to rotate about the second shaft. The first subwheel has a gear meshing with the gear of its corresponding number wheel whereby the angular position of the first subwheel about the second axis is determined by the angular position of the gear of its corresponding number wheel. The second subwheel of each wheel assembly includes a drive gear coaxial with the second shaft and biasing means for rotating the second subwheel to a selected position with respect to the first subwheel when the second wheel is free to rotate about the second axis whereby the second subwheel of each of the resettable wheel assemblies can return to the position set by its corresponding number wheel. Gear drive means are provided for engaging the drive gear of the least signifi cant one of the second subwheels for rotating the least significant second subwheel and means for advancing an angle corresponding to a single digit each more significant second subwheel when its adjacent lesser significant second subwheel is rotated a single rotation about the second axis. The unit also includes means for preventing free rotation of the second subwheel during the operation of the gear drive means and means for disengaging the gear drive means from the least significant one of the second subwheels after the timing cycle. Means responsive to this disengagement of the gear drive means allows free rotation of the second subwheels about the second shaft whereby the biasing means returns the second subwheels to the positions determined by the selected positions of the corresponding number wheels upon each resetting cycle.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an improvement in a reset wheel assembly for a reset timer/counter unit of the type including first and second subwheels journalled about an axis wherein the first subwheel includes means for holding the first subwheel in a selected angular position with respect to the shaft and the second subwheel includes drive means for driving the second subwheel with respect to the first subwheel. This basic unit includes biasing means for rotating the second subwheel to a selected position with respect to the first subwheel when the drive means is deactivated. The improvement in this unit is in the biasing means which includes a first permanent magnet carried by the first subwheel and a second permanent magnet carried by the second subwheel. These permanent magnets are mutually balanced when the second subwheel is in its selected position with respect to the first subwheel.

This provides a magnetic resetting of the driven subwheels to the previously set digital condition of the first subwheel.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a reset timer/counter unit, which unit has a positive reset operation and has a longer expected life than the existing units.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a reset timer/counter unit, which unit includes a magnetic resetting system for the reset wheels.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a reset timer/counter unit, which unit includes two banks of wheels, one bank being the setting wheels and the other bank being the down-counting resettable wheels.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a reset timer/counter unit. which unit displays both the set time or count and the remaining duration of the timing or counting cycle.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a reset timer/counter unit, which unit allows overrun after a cycle has been completed.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings to which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial, schematic side elevational view illustrating the external controls and the reset mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a plan view taken generally along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged view taken generally along line 3A-3A of FIG. 3',

FIG. 3B is a view taken generaliy along line 3B-3B of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top elevational view showing the reset mechanism and switch actuating mechanism of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the operation of the switch actuating mechanism when a cycle has been completed;

FIG. 5A is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the same mechanism during the counting cycle;

FIG. 5B is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the same mechanism when the preferred embodiment is counted beyond the set cycle;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the interconnection between a number wheel and a resettable whee] assembly;

FIG. 7 is a view taken generally along line 7-7 of FIG. 6',

FIG. 7A is an enlarged partial view taken generally along line 7A-7A of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 is a view taken generally along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8A is an enlarged partial view taken generally along line SA-SA of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 is a view taken generally along line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view showing two adjacent manually adjustable number wheels;

FIGv 11 is a view taken generally along line 11-l1 of FIG. 10 and shows the means for indexing the setting of a number wheel;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are views similar to FIG. 11 showing different positions of the manually indexing mechanism in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating the operating characteristics of the magnet systems in the resettable subwheel assembly, as best shown in FIGS. 7-9;

FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a modification of the permanent magnet system in the resettabie subwheel assembly; and,

FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating the drive arrangement employed for timing in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows a timer/counter unit A having a face plate B, upper window C and a lower window D. Push buttons 10 manually change the position of the individual wheels 20 within a bank of number wheels viewed through window I). Above the bank of number wheels and meshed therewith in a manner to be described later, is a second bank of axially aligned wheels illustrated as resettable wheel assemblies 30 viewed through window C. in operation, cycle of unit A is set by successively depressing push buttons 10 to index by a single digit the various numbers appearing in window D and on the periphery of number wheels 20. After the proper cycle has been set in the window D, the unit is ready to time a cycle corresponding to that number. The range of the cycle is determined by internal gearing of unit A. Before the cycle starts, the unit is reset which shifts the resettable wheel assemblies 30 to the numbers appearing in window D. This reset number is shown in window C of FIG. 1. After this resetting of wheel assemblies 30, the cycle can be timed by decrementing the number in window C until the digitals all reach zero. At this time. a switch is actuated as will be explained later to indicate the end of the counting cycle. Thereafter, the unit can be reset. This resets the resettable wheel assemblies 30 to the position corresponding with the numbers in the lower number wheels 20 as shown in window I). It is appreciated that these numbers or digits in window D can be changed by the push buttons 10 while the counting or timing cycle using whee] assemblies 30 is taking place without affecting the cycle being counted or timed. This feature will be explained later. In accordance with the unit so far described, the setting of the next cycle appears in the window D and the remaining time or counts of the cycle in process appears in window C. This provides complete information to an observer regarding the condition of the unit even during the counting or timing cycle.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the bottom bank of number wheels 20 is journalled on shaft 40. Each of the number wheels includes a ring gear 42 meshed with a similar ring gear 50 on a corresponding upper resettable wheel assembly 30 located directly above the corresponding number wheel. The resettable wheel assemblies 30 each include a first subwheel 52 and a coaxially mounted second subwheel 54, the details of which will be explained later. Also to be explained later, when the subwheel 54 is released it will return to a set position with respect to the first subwheel 52 to reset the resettable wheel assembly 30 to the number appearing in window D of FIG. 1. This second suhwheel 54 includes an outer drive gear 56, and both subwheels 52, 54 are joumalled to rotate about shaft 58, which is generally parallel and above shaft 40 of number wheels 20.

During the counting or timing cycle, a pinion drive gear is 60 rotatably mounted about a shaft 62, generally parallel with shaft 58. As shown in FIG. 3, gear 60 includes integral spaced gear portions 600 and 60b which are driven together. Portion 60b is meshed with the drive gear 56 of the least significant digit in the upper bank of wheel assemblies 30. In FIG. 1, the wheel assembly which is engaged by pinion 60 is the right hand wheel assembly 30 viewed through window C. In a timing mode, pinion 60 is rotated at an angular speed to determine the range of the timing cycle. During the timing cycle, the gear 42 holds gear 50 of the first subwheel 52 in each wheel assembly 30 so that the various first subwheels do not rotate and their position is fixed by the position of the lower number wheels 20.

As best shown in FIG. 3, after the least significant second subwheel assembly 54 is rotated at single rotation, the next most significant subwheel 54 is advanced by a single digit. This process is continued from one subwheel 54 to the next so that the subwheels 54 which carry the digits shown in window C of FIG. 1 count down to zero in a normal digit counting process. A variety of interconnecting and transfer arrangements could be used; however, in the preferred embodiment the in terconnecting arrangement includes a plurality of gears journalled on shaft 62, as shown in FIG. 3. These gears will be explained later in more detail.

Shaft 62 and the gears carried thereon, including pinion 60, are supported on an axially extending bracket 70 having an upper fixed pivot shaft 72 and a rearwardly extending tab 74. This tab engages the under surface of a reset switch plate 80 which is pivoted about a shaft 82. The rearward portion of the switch plate includes switch actuators 84, 86 for depressing switches 90, 92 when the unit is reset. The switches can start a new cycle after reset. Plate 80 also includes a transfer reset arm 100 including an eccentric 102 which is rotated to adjust the interconnection between the switch plate 80 and an adjacent cycle actuated switch arm 110. Switch arm 110 is journalled about rear shaft 112 and controls a lower switch 114. Of course, various switches could be used and their actuation could be sequential to provide sequential controls of the external circuits and the reset cycle of the timer. The forward end of cycle actuated arm 110 includes a transversely extending stub shaft 116 which is used to control the movement of a zero count bracket 120 during the reset cycle and for controlling the movement of switch arm 110 by zero count bracket 120 at the completion of a counting or timing cycle. A further discussion of this operation will follow.

The zero count bracket 120 best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 includes axially spaced fingers 122, 124, 126 and 128 and is journalled on fixed shaft 72. The fingers each include downwardly extending pointed protrusions 122a, 124a, 126a and 1280, respectively. Extending in the opposite direction from fingers 122-128 is bifurcated arm 130 adapted to surround the stub shaft 116. As shown in FIG. 4, the zero count bracket 120 can be shifted to the right against the action of a spring 132 surrounding shaft 72. Each of the fingers 122-128 is aligned with a cam surface 140 on the second subwheel 54 of each resettable wheel assembly 30. This cam surface includes a zero recess 142 which is aligned with one of the fingers 122-128 when the corresponding subwheel S4 is in its zero position to show a zero in window C of FIG. I. The forward portion of recess 142 includes a cam incline 144. In operation, as best shown in FIGS. 5, 5A and 5B, all of the subwheel assemblies 54 are oriented to present zeros in window C, the recesses 142 are aligned with fingers 122-128. This allows the protrusions I22al28a to drop, in unison, into recesses 142. This can happen only when all zeros appear in the window C. If one of the subwheels S4 is not at a displayed digit zero, the cam surface 140 of that wheel holds the zero count bracket in its upper position. FIG. 5 shows the zero count position where the subwheels 54 have counted down to zero. When this happens, the fingers drop and bifurcated arm 130 is pivoted upwardly to raise cycle actuated switch arm about its rearward pivot shaft 112. This releases switch 114.

The position of bracket during the counting cycle is illustrated in FIG. 5A. In this condition, at least one of the protrusions l22a-128a engage its cam surface and holds the arm 110 in its downward position by the bifurcated arm 130. Arm 110 is moved upwardly when the zero condition is reached, as shown in FIG. 5. Referring now to FIG. 5B, the condition illustrated therein occurs when the unit is driven after the zero count has been reached and bracket 120 has shifted into the position shown in FIG. 5. When this happens, the cam incline 144 on each of the second subwheels 54 cams the protrusions 122a-128a from the recess 142. This shifts the zero count bracket 120 to the right, as shown in FIG. 4, against the action of spring 132. By providing this camming action, the motor can continue to operate after a counting or timing cycle has been completed and recorded by switch 1 14. Thus, it is not essential that the motor or the drive means be stopped exactly at the zero count in the preferred embodiment of unit A.

Referring again to FIG. 2, a solenoid having a standard armature 152 controls a bellcrank 154 for driving and resetting the resettable wheel assemblies 30. The bellcrank includes a fixed pivot shaft 156, return spring 158 and a control arm 160. The control arm is connected by a pivot pin 162 to control the movement of an arm 164 journalled on shaft 62. The structure in FIG. 2 is shown in the counting mode with the solenoid 150 released to force gear 60, and all other gears on the shaft 62, into engagement with the second subwheels of the resettable wheel assemblies 30. It is noted that the arms I60, 164 form a toggle action to increase the force required to disengage pinion 60, and the other gears on shaft 62, from the wheel assemblies during the driving operation. Shaft 62, pin 162 and shaft 156 are generally in alignment in the driving mode. After the driving operation has been completed, the fingers on zero count bracket 120 drop into the re cesses 142 of the rotated subwheels 54. This is also shown in FIG. 2. At that time, the unit A is ready for a reset operation. The reset is accomplished by actuating solenoid 150. This forces arm in a downward arc and pulls arm 164 downwardly. Shaft 62 is then moved away from shaft 58 as bracket 70 pivots about shaft 72. This disengages the pinion from the least significant subwheel 54 and also releases all other interconnecting gears carried by shaft 62 from the subwheels 54. When bracket 70 pivots in a counterclockwise direction for reset, tab 74 lifts reset switch plate 80, which pivots around shaft 82. This depresses cycle actuated switch arm 110 by the action of the eccentric 102. The downward movement of switch arm 110 forces the bifurcated arm 130 downwardly and lifts the fingers 122-128 from the subwheels 54. If the fingers have been shifted due to an overcount, the lifting action causes the fingers to be raised and the bracket 120 is shifted to the left, as shown in FIG. 4, by spring 132. Thus, by the action of solenoid 150, the subwheels 54 are completely released from driving gears or from the fingers on the arm 120. Thus, they are free to rotate and return to the position determined by the adjusted position of first subwheels 52 of each resettable wheel assembly 30. The mechanism for this returning action will be described later as another aspect of the present invention. After a reset operation, the window C again displays the same digits as the window D. Solenoid 150 is then released and the drive gears and the wheel interconnecting gears on shaft 62 are forced into driving relationship with the upper resettable wheel assemblies 30 to repeat the counting or timing cycle.

As previously mentioned, a variety of arrangements could be used for driving the adjacent subwheels during the counting or timing cycle. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B, the adjacent wheels are connected by a double gear assembly 170 including a gear 172 coacting with the lesser significant digit subwheel 54 and a gear 174 engaging the gear 56 of the more significant subwheel 54. When the gear 172 is rotated, this rotates the next subwheel assembly 54. In accordance with one practice, gear 172 has alternate teeth 180 extending axially across the gear and alternate teeth 182 extending only part way across the gears. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, each of the second subwheels 54 include a single gear receiving recess 190 on its periphery. This is the only place on the periphery of subwheel 54 which will accept one of the full teeth 180. Recess 190 is bounded by teeth segments 192, 194 which engage the partial teeth 182. During normal operation, the full teeth 180 ride on the outer surface of wheel 54. This prevents the rotation of the gear 172 and gear assembly 170 and locks the next subwheel 54 by the interaction of gear 174 and gear 56 of the next subwheel. After a single rotation of a lesser significant subwheel 54, gear segment 194 engages one of the partial teeth 182 starting rotation of gear assembly 170. This rotation can continue with the next full tooth 180 extending into recess 190. Gear segment 192 then engages another partial tooth 182 to withdraw the full tooth 180 from recess 190 and locate the full teeth on the outer surface to lock assembly 170 in its indexed position until the next revolution of subwheel 54. In this manner, each revolution of a subwheel 54 indexes the next subwheel by an angle corresponding to one digit. This rollover feature continues until all subwheels are in the zero condition which then actuates the cycle actuated switch arm 110. During the reset operation solenoid 150 is energized which withdraws the various gear assemblies 170 from engag ment with the subwheels 54. This allows each of the subwheels to turn to a position corresponding to the digit designation shown in window D of FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, one of the resettable wheel assemblies 30 is illustrated. Since all of the wheel assemblies are identical, a description of this one as sembly applies equally to the other axially mounted wheel assemblies. In FIG. 6, a drive gear 200 is journailed on shaft 58 and is held in position by a snap ring 202. A series of snap rings are spaced axially along shaft 58 to set the positions of the various wheel assemblies 30. As shown in FIG. 7, subwheel 52 includes an inwardly extending hub 210 having an inner surface 212 journalled on shaft 58. Magnetic holders 214, 216 include resilient arms 214a, 2l4b and 216a, 216b, respectively. These arms hold diametrically opposed cylindrical, axially magnetized magnets 220, 222. The center line of these cylindrical magnets is below the upper protrusions on the resilient arms to hold the magnets in place between shoulders 230, 232 and a lower wall 234. An aligning hole 236 is provided through the subwheel 52 for a purpose to be described later.

The magnets 220, 222 are axially magnetized and the outwardmost poles have an opposite polarity. For instance, if the polarity at shoulder 230 is a north pole, the polarity at shoulder 232 is a south pole. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the cylindrical magnets are formed from sintered Al nico VIII. Of course, other magnetic materials could be used for magnets 220, 222.

Referring now to the second subwheel 54, as best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, this subwheel includes an outer cylindrical number surface 240 which carries the numbers viewed through window C. A hub 242 has an inner surface 244 for journalling subwheel 54 onto shaft 58. Magnet holders 250, 252 are similar to the magnet holders in the subwheel 52 and they include resilient arms 250a, 2501; and 2520, 252b. Cylindrical magnets 260, 262 are the same as the magnets 220, 222 and are located at diametrically opposed positions, as shown in FIG. 8. The magnets are held in place against a lower wall 264. The polarity of the magnets 260, 262 is such that in one relatively rotational position of the subwheels 52, 54 the poles of the magnets in subwheel 52 are adjacent opposite poles of the magnets in subwheel 54. This is the home" pdsition of subwheel 54 with respect to the adjustable, but normally fixed subwheel 52. As can be seen, the fixed position of subwheel 52 can be changed during the timing cycle since the timing cycle involves only subwheels 54. In this manner, the cycle time or count shown in window D can be changed during the counting or timing cycle. The spacing between subwheels 52, 54 is determined by the hubs 210, 242, which limit the movement of one subwheel toward the other subwheel in a wheel assembly 30. The outward movement of the subwheels is limited by snap rings engaging shaft 58 on opposite sides of the wheel assembly 30.

Referring now to the number wheels 20, they are mounted on shaft 40 in axially spaced, side-by-side relationship. Two of these number wheels are illustrated in FIG. 10; however, in the preferred embodiment of the invention four number wheels are employed in the unit A. The description of one number wheel applies equally to the other number wheels. An outer cylindrical number surface 280 carries the digits or numbers displayed in window D of face plate B. An aligning aperture similar to hole 236 may be provided in this wheel; however, it is not used in the preferred embodiment of the invention. At one side of number wheel 20, opposite to gear 42, is a ratchet wheel 290 having spaced teeth 292, each of which includes an inclined surface 294, a nose 296 and an intermediate recess 298. The push buttons 10 associated with each wheel 20 controls a reciprocal member 300 which carries a rearwardly extending shaft 302. Member 300 is biased in a forward direction by an appropriate spring 304. Push button 10 forces member 300 inwardly to a second or rear position and spring 304 returns member 300 to the rest or first position. Member 300, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, includes resilient arm 310 having a rearwardly extending pawl 312. A lower resilient arm 320 includes a forwardly pointing tip 322. The unitary structure 300 also includes a first angular abutment means 330 and a second angular abutment means 340.

FIG. 11 illustrates member 300 in the at rest or first position. Second abutment means 340 is biased against surface 294 of one of the teeth 292 to limit the forward movement of member 300 and locks the wheel in a selected digit position. To change the digit by one, push button 10 is depressed. FIG. 11A shows the action of member 300 when push button 10 is depressed against spring 304. Paw] 312 engages a recess 298 of one tooth 292 and draws ratchet wheel 290 in a clockwise direc tion. This movement is limited by the first abutment means 330 which engages an inclined surface 294 of another tooth on the ratchet wheel. This action limits the rearward movement of member 300 and provides partial rotation of the number wheel 20. Thereafter, the push button is released and tip 322, which is aligned with a recess 298 in FIG. 11A, engages the recess and drives the ratchet wheel further in the clockwise direction, as shown in FIG. MB. The driving action of tip 322 continues until the ratchet wheel is in the position shown in FIG. 11. At this time, the second abutment means 340 again engages the ratchet wheel to prevent further movement of wheel 20. This indexing procedure is continued until the desired digit is shown in windown D. Thereafter, the other number wheels are changed accordingly one digit at a time until the desired cycle is set. Since the number wheels are meshed with the first subwheel 52 of wheel assemblies 30, the cycle can be changed by the push button during the counting or timing cycle of unit A. The numbers recorded in window D always illustrate the condition to which the upper resettable wheel assemblies 30 will re turn during a reset cycle by actuation of solenoid 150. The second abutment means 340 holds both the number wheel and the first subwheel 52 of the upper wheel assembly.

Of course, when the unit is assembled the gears 42, 50 must be synchronized so that the corresponding numbers will appear on the number surfaces of both the upper and lower bank of wheels. This can be accomplished in various ways. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the lower number wheels are indexed to a given number, such as all fours. Thereafter, a rod is extended through the aligning apertures 236 of the upper resettable wheel assemblies 30. These apertures are positioned so that the magnets are in their balanced condition and the digits displayed in window C are the same as the prearranged digits in window D. After the gears 42, 50 have been meshed and the unit assembled, the locating rod is withdrawn. Since the rod must extend completely through the bank of upper assemblies, gear 200 also has an aligning hole 236 which is in essence a clearance hole since this gear had no orientation with respect to the digits being set into the unit.

The magnet system disclosed for the resettable wheel assemblies is schematically illustrated in FIG. 12. The magnets 220, 222 on subwheel 52 are generally fixed during the resetting cycle. The magnets 260, 262 on subwheel 54 are attracted to these fixed magnets when subwheel 54 is released by disengagement of the driving and interconnecting gears on shaft 62. This brings the second subwheels 54 into their proper reset positions for the next counting cycle determined by the position of the lower number wheels 20. A modification of magnet system is illustrated in FIG. 13 wherein one of the magnets, such as magnet 222 is angularly shifted to a position between 5 and 10 from its position shown in FIG. 12. The corresponding magnet 260 would also be shifted on the subwheel 54 so that they would be adjacent each other in the magnetic balanced condition. This offset provides a more stable system for the individual subwheels 54 in their return to the magnetic balanced position. In addition, it has also been suggested to reduce the magnetic strength of the nonoffset magnet 220 in only subwheel 52. This can be done by either demagnetizing this magnet to a magnetization lesser than the magnetization of the other three magnets in the system or by providing the magnet 220 from a magnet material having a lesser energy product, such as Alnico V or Alnico II. Of course, other procedures could be used for changing the magnetic systems in the subwheels to provide an accurate alignment of the subwheels during the resetting operation.

A variety of arrangements could be used for driving the pinion to complete the cycle of the timer or counter unit A. FIG. 14 illustrates schematically one of these drive arrangements. A synchronous motor 350 drives shaft 352 which rotates gear 354 at a known rate. This drives an intermediate gear 356 meshed with gear 200 on shaft 58. Gear 200 drives pinion 60 which is in driving engagement with the least significant subwheel 54 during the timing or counting cycle. By the arrangement described, unit A operates as a timer. The range of the timer is determined by the gear ratio of the gear train shown in FIG. 14 and the speed of motor 350. Of course, various gear changes could be made to change the range of the timing cycle without changing the motor itself. If unit A were to be used as a counter, gear 200 would be driven a set amount upon the receipt of each in pulse to be counted. This would be geared to rotate the least significant subwheel 54 one digit. The unit can also be used for measuring the rotation of a shaft by driving gear 200 a single digit distance in the least significant subwheel 54 upon a single rotation of a given shaft. The arrangement of the switches and the circuits for resetting are well within the ordinary skill of the art and need not be described in this particular application, which does not relate to the switching or the devices being controlled by the unit illustrated herein.

Having thus defined my invention, I claim:

1. A reset counter including a first bank of manually adjustable number wheels journalled coaxially about a first shaft and arranged from least significant to most significant digits; a second bank of resettable wheel assemblies journalled coaxially about a second shaft gen erally parallel to said first shaft with one of said wheel assemblies adjacent to and corresponding to one of said number wheels; each of said number wheels having a gear generally concentric with said first shaft and numerical indicia circumferentially spaced around said first shaft; separate manual means for indexing said number wheels about said first shaft to selected positions corresponding to a desired counting cycle; means for holding said number wheels in said selected positions; each of said resettable wheel assemblies including first and second subwheels mounted to rotate about said second shaft, said first subwheel having a gear meshing with the gear of its corresponding number wheel whereby the angular position of each of said first subwheels about said second axis is determined by the angular position of the gear of its corresponding number wheel, said second subwheel including a drive gear coaxial with said second shaft, and biasing means for rotating said second subwheel to a selected position with respect to said first subwheel when said second subwheel is free to rotate about said second shaft whereby said second subwheel of each resettable wheel assembly can return to the position set by its corresponding number wheel; gear drive means engaging said drive gear of the least significant one of said second subwheels for rotating said least significant second subwheel; means for advancing by an angle corresponding to a single digit each more significant second subwheel when its adjacent lesser significant second subwheel is rotated a single rotation about said second shaft; means for preventing free rotation of said second subwheel assemblies during operation of said gear drive means; means for disengaging said gear drive means from said least significant one of said second subwheels; and means responsive to disengagement of said gear drive means for allowing free rotation of said second subwheels about said second shaft whereby said biasing means returns said second subwheels to the positions determined by the selected positions of said number wheels.

2. A reset counter as defined in claim 1 including means for driving said gear drive means at a selected speed whereby said counting cycle is a timing cycle.

3. A reset counter as defined in claim 1 wherein said manual indexing means includes a series of teeth on each of said number wheels and spaced circumferen tially around said first shaft and a manually reciprocal member adjacent each of said number wheels, said reciprocal member including a first abutment for engaging one of said teeth on its adjacent number wheel and rotating said number wheel in a first direction when said member is moved from a first position to a second position and a second abutment on said member for engaging one of said teeth on its adjacent number wheel and further moving said number wheel in said first direction when moved from said second position to said first position, said first movement completing a digit change of said adjacent number wheel.

4. A reset counter as defined in claim 3 wherein said first and second abutments of said reciprocal member are located on diametrically opposite sides of said first shaft.

5. A reset counter as defined in claim 4 including a spring means biasing said reciprocal member from said second position to said first position.

6. A reset counter as defined in claim 5 wherein said holding means for each of said number wheels includes an abutment means on said reciprocal member for locking the position of said adjacent number wheel when said reciprocal member is in one of said first and second positions.

7. A reset counter as defined in claim 6 wherein said one of said first and second positions is said first position.

8. A reset counter as defined in claim 6 wherein said reciprocal member includes a second abutment means for engaging said one of said teeth of said adjacent number wheel when said reciprocal member is in said second position.

9. A reset counter as defined in claim 3 including a spring means biasing said reciprocal member from said second position to said first position.

10. A reset counter as defined in claim 3 wherein said holding means for each of said number wheels includes an abutment means on said reciprocal member for locking the position of said adjacent number wheel when said reciprocal member is in one of said first and second positions.

11. A reset counter as defined in claim 10 wherein said one of said first and second positions is said first position.

12. A reset counter as defined in claim 10 wherein said reciprocal member includes a second abutment means for engaging said one of said teeth of said adjacent number wheel when said reciprocal member is in said second position.

13. A reset counter as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said second subwheels have numerical indicia circumferentially spaced around said second shaft and window means for viewing one of said indicia of each of said second subwheels.

14. A reset counter as defined in claim 1 wherein biasing means includes a first permanent magnet in said first subwheel and a second permanent magnet in said second subwheel. said permanent magnets having north and south poles with a north pole of the permanent magnet in said first subwheel being adjacent a south pole of the permanent magnet in said second subwheel when said subwheels are in said selected relative position.

15. A reset counter as defined in claim 14 wherein each of said subwheels include two permanent magnets spaced from each other a selected angular amount and each having a north and south magnetic pole with the poles of the magnets in said first subwheel being adjacent opposite poles of the magnets in said second subwheel when said subwheels are in said selected relative position.

16. A reset counter as defined in claim 15 wherein said selected angular amount is approximately 180.

17. A reset counter as defined in claim 15 wherein said selected angular amount is between and in one angular direction.

18. A reset counter as defined in claim 15 wherein said selected angular amount is less than 180 in one angular direction.

19. A reset counter as defined in claim 15 wherein one of said permanent magnets in one of said subwheels has a field strength substantially different from another of said permanent magnets in said one subwheel.

20. A reset counter as defined in claim 1 wherein said biasing means includes a first permanent magnet system in said first subwheel and a second permanent magnet system in said second subwheel, said systems being in mutual balance when said subwheels are in said selected relative position.

21. A reset counter as defined in claim 20 wherein each of said permanent magnet systems include at least two permanent magnets.

22. A reset counter as defined in claim 1 including a circumferentially extending surface on each of said second subwheels, said surface including a recess corresponding to a selected digit position of said second subwheels; a member pivotally mounted on an axis generally parallel to said second shaft and having protrusions each aligned with one of said surfaces, adapted to ride along said surface and movable into said recess of said surface whereby when each of said protrusions is aligned with its corresponding recess, said protrusions move into said recesses and allow said member to pivot; and switch means responsive to pivoting of said member.

23. A reset counter as defined in claim 22 including cam means in each of said recesses for forcing said protrusions axially and means for allowing axial movement of said member.

24. In a reset wheel assembly for a reset counter, said wheel assembly including first and second subwheels joumalled about a shaft; said first subwheel including means for holding said first subwheel in a selected angular position with respect to said shaft; said second subwheel including drive means for driving said second subwheel with respect to said first subwheel; and biasing means for rotating said second subwheel to a selected position with respect to said first subwheel when said drive means is deactivated, the improvement comprising: said biasing means includes a first permanent magnet carried by said first subwheel and a second permanent magnet carried by said second subwheel, said permanent magnets being mutually balanced when said second subwheel is in said selected position.

25. A reset counter as defined in claim 24 wherein each of said subwheels include two permanent magnets spaced from each other a selected angular amount and each having a north and south magnetic pole with the poles of the magnets in said first subwheel being adjacent opposite poles of the magnets in said second subwheel when said subwheels are in said selected relative position.

26. A reset counter as defined in claim 25 wherein said selected angular amount is approximately 180.

27. A reset counter as defined in claim 25 wherein said selected angular amount is between l and in one angular direction.

28. A reset counter as defined in claim 25 wherein said selected angular amount is less than 180 in one angular direction. 

1. A reset counter including a first bank of manually adjustable number wheels journalled coaxially about a first shaft and arranged from least significant to most significant digits; a second bank of resettable wheel assemblies journalled coaxially about a second shaft generally parallel to said first shaft with one of said wheel assemblies adjacent to and corresponding to one of said number wheels; each of said number wheels having a gear generally concentric with said first shaft and numerical indicia circumferentially spaced around said first shaft; separate manual means for indexing said number wheels about said first shaft to selected positions corresponding to a desired counting cycle; means for holding said number wheels in said selected positions; each of said resettable wheel assemblies including first and second subwheels mounted to rotate about said second shaft, said first subwheel having a gear meshing with the gear of its corresponding number wheel whereby the angular position of each of said first subwheels about said second axis is determined by the angular position of the gear of its corresponding number wheel, said second subwheel including a drive gear coaxial with said second shaft, and biasing means for rotating said second subwheel to a selected position with respect to said first subwheel when said second subwheel is free to rotate about said second shaft whereby said second subwheel of each resettable wheel assembly can return to the position set by its corresponding number wheel; gear drive means engaging said drive gear of the least significant one of said second subwheels for rotating said least significant second subwheel; means for advancing by an angle corresponding to a single digit each more significant second subwheel when its adjacent lesser significant second subwheel is rotated a single rotation about said second shaft; means for preventing free rotation of said second subwheel assemblies during operation of said gear drive means; means for disengaging said gear drive means from said least significant one of said second subwheels; and means responsive to disengagement of said gear drive means for allowing free rotation of said second subwheels about said second shaft whereby said biasing means returns said second subwheels to the positions determined by the selected positions of said number wheels.
 2. A reset counter as defined in claim 1 including means for driving said gear drive means at a selected speed whereby said counting cycle is a timing cycle.
 3. A reset counter as defined in claim 1 wherein said manual indexing means includes a series of teeth on each of said number wheels and spaced circumferentially around said first shaft and a manually reciprocal member adjacent each of said number wheels, said reciprocal member including a first abutment for engaging one of said teeth on its adjacent number wheel and rotating said number wheel in a first direction when said member is moved from a first position to a second position and a second abutment on said member for engaging one of said teeth on its adjacent number wheel and further moving said number wheel in said first direction when moved from said second position to said first position, said first movement completing a digit change of said adjacent number wheel.
 4. A reset counter as defined in claim 3 wherein said first and second abutments of said reciprocal member are located on diametrically opposite sides of said first shaft.
 5. A reset counter as defined in claim 4 including a spring means biasing said reciprocal member from said second position to said first position.
 6. A reset counter as defined in claim 5 wherein said holding means for each of said number wheels includes an abutment means on said reciprocal member for locking the position of said adjacent number wheel when said reciprocal member is in one of said first and second positions.
 7. A reset counter as defined in claim 6 wherein said one of said first and second positions is said first position.
 8. A reset counter as defined in claim 6 wherein said reciprocal member includes a second abutment means for engaging said one of said teeth of said adjacent number wheel when said reciprocal member is in said second position.
 9. A reset counter as defined in claim 3 including a spring means biasing said reciprocal member from said second position to said first position.
 10. A reset counter as defined in claim 3 wherein said holding means for each of said number wheels includes an abutment means on said reciprocal member for locking the position of said adjacent number wheel when said reciprocal member is in one of said first and second positions.
 11. A reset counter as defined in claim 10 wherein said one of said first and second positions is said first position.
 12. A reset counter as defined in claim 10 wherein said reciprocal member includes a second abutment means for engaging said one of said teeth of said adjacent number wheel when said reciprocal member is in said second position.
 13. A reset counter as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said second subwheels have numerical indicia circumferentially spaced around said second shaft and window means for viewing one of said indicia of each of said second subwheels.
 14. A reset counter as defined in claim 1 wherein biasing means includes a first permanent magnet in said first subwheel and a second permanent magnet in said second subwheel, said permanent magnets having north and south poles with a north pole of the permanent magnet in said first subwheel being adjacent a south pole of the permanent magnet in said second subwheel when said subwheels are in said selected relative position.
 15. A reset counter as defined in claim 14 wherein each of said subwheels include two permanent magnets spaced from each other a selected angular amount and each having a north and south magnetic pole with the poles of the magnets in said first subwheel being adjacent opposite poles of the magnets in said second subwheel when said subwheels are in said selected relative position.
 16. A reset counter as defined in claim 15 wherein said selected angular amount is approximately 180*.
 17. A reset counter as defined in claim 15 wherein said selected angular amount is between 170* and 180* in one angular direction.
 18. A reset counter as defined in claim 15 wherein said selected angular amount is less than 180* in one angular direction.
 19. A reset counter as defined in claim 15 wherein one of said permanent magnets in one of said subwheels has a field strength substantially different from another of said permanent magnets in said one subwheel.
 20. A reset counter as defined in claim 1 wherein said biasing means includes a first permanent magnet system in said first subwheel and a second permanent magnet system in said second subwheel, said systems being in mutual balance when said subwheels are in said selected relative position.
 21. A reset counter as defined in claim 20 wherein each of said permanent magnet systems include at least two permanent magnets.
 22. A reset counter as defined in claim 1 including a circumferentiallY extending surface on each of said second subwheels, said surface including a recess corresponding to a selected digit position of said second subwheels; a member pivotally mounted on an axis generally parallel to said second shaft and having protrusions each aligned with one of said surfaces, adapted to ride along said surface and movable into said recess of said surface whereby when each of said protrusions is aligned with its corresponding recess, said protrusions move into said recesses and allow said member to pivot; and switch means responsive to pivoting of said member.
 23. A reset counter as defined in claim 22 including cam means in each of said recesses for forcing said protrusions axially and means for allowing axial movement of said member.
 24. In a reset wheel assembly for a reset counter, said wheel assembly including first and second subwheels journalled about a shaft; said first subwheel including means for holding said first subwheel in a selected angular position with respect to said shaft; said second subwheel including drive means for driving said second subwheel with respect to said first subwheel; and biasing means for rotating said second subwheel to a selected position with respect to said first subwheel when said drive means is deactivated, the improvement comprising: said biasing means includes a first permanent magnet carried by said first subwheel and a second permanent magnet carried by said second subwheel, said permanent magnets being mutually balanced when said second subwheel is in said selected position.
 25. A reset counter as defined in claim 24 wherein each of said subwheels include two permanent magnets spaced from each other a selected angular amount and each having a north and south magnetic pole with the poles of the magnets in said first subwheel being adjacent opposite poles of the magnets in said second subwheel when said subwheels are in said selected relative position.
 26. A reset counter as defined in claim 25 wherein said selected angular amount is approximately 180*.
 27. A reset counter as defined in claim 25 wherein said selected angular amount is between 170* and 180* in one angular direction.
 28. A reset counter as defined in claim 25 wherein said selected angular amount is less than 180* in one angular direction. 